2012 BCS Point Spreads, Kick Off Time & Prop Bets

by Matt Foust on Saturday, January 7th, 2012

Just three bowl games remain and one of those happens to be a rematch between SEC powers Alabama and LSU in the BCS National Championship. The highly anticipated bowl clash between the two division rivals is scheduled to kick off at 8:30pm ET on Monday, January 9 at the Mercedes Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana; it will be broadcast live on ESPN. The latest 2012 BCS Point Spreads have the Crimson Tide listed as a slight -115 Pick’em favorite. In addition to against the spread, moneyline, and Over/Under action, most book makers, including Bovada.lv, have numerous BCS Prop Bets available for Monday’s showdown in the Bayou.

With this year’s BCS National Championship Game being so evenly matched, some of the best plays on the board may be prop bets involving the two teams and certain Crimson Tide and Tigers’ players. Here, in my estimation, are some of the more potentially profitable plays:

Total TD Passes – Jordan Jefferson (LSU): Under .5 (+145)

Jefferson has thrown a touchdown pass in four straight games, but the Under .5, especially at a positive return is the way to go here. Jefferson is not known for his aerial prowess while Alabama is known for its outstanding pass defense. The Crimson Tide have given up an FBS best 116.3 yards per game through the air this season and they have allowed just six passing touchdowns to 12 interceptions.

Total TD Passes – A.J. McCarron (Alabama): Under 1.5 (-130)

McCarron has recorded multiple passing touchdown games just four times this season, and two of those came in the final two weeks of the regular season against Georgia Southern and the defensively challenged Auburn Tigers (tied for 82nd in the FBS with 23 passing touchdowns allowed). McCarron failed to throw a touchdown pass in the Tide’s first meeting with LSU and on the season the Tigers have allowed just seven passing touchdowns. Yes, you take a slight hit with -130 and a loss, but everything points toward the Under being a certain winner.

Total Team Points – Alabama: Even -105

Okay, this isn’t rocket science, but the Crimson Tide have landed on an even score eight times in 12 games this season, including their first meeting with the Tigers. Certainly anything can happen in a game, but this one figures to be low scoring. Perhaps a touchdown and a field might be enough for Alabama to get a win or maybe 10 points will see Nick Saban’s squad lose by three, six, or 14 points. Regardless, the Tide figure to find the end zone at least once this time around and, if the last game was any indication, they will attempt plenty of field goals. Here’s betting on a touchdown, extra point, and an odd number of field goal makes.